How to Make a Rock Climbing Harness Out of Rope

Climbing gear has come a long way over the decades. Before padded leg loops and locking waist buckles, there were homemade rope harnesses, also called rappelling harnesses or the "Swiss Seat." Rope harnesses are not comfortable, but they are handy in an emergency and, if tied correctly, are just as safe as a store-bought webbing harnesses. A sturdy locking carabiner and a length of rope is all it takes to create emergency climbing or rappelling protection. According to itstactical.com, carrying these two items in your backpack could some day save your life out in the backwoods.

Things You'll Need

  • Climbing rope, at least 12 feet
  • Large locking carabiner
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Instructions

  1. Making the Waistband

    • 1
      Finding the center and marking it will save time in an emergency.

      Locate the midpoint of your length of rope by folding it equally in half. You can do this at home before heading out to climb, marking the center with a black permanent pen so it's easy to find the middle in a hurry.

    • 2

      Hold the center point of the rope against your hip bone. Which hip is determined by your dominant, or break hand. If you break right-handed, hold the center on your left hip and vice-versa for southpaws.

    • 3

      Take one end of the rope and wrap it around the back of your waist, keeping the center point of the rope at your hip. Bring the two ends of the rope together at your navel like you're tying a robe. Because you started off-center, the one end of the rope will be longer than the other.

    • 4

      Make an overhand knot at your navel. Pull tightly and loop either end of the rope around the waistband a second time.

    • 5

      Let the rope ends hang down toward the ground from the knot.

    Forming the Seat

    • 6

      Pull the rope ends between your legs, from the front, and up around your buttocks, making sure the rope does not criss-cross between your legs. Pull tightly.

    • 7

      Take each end of the rope and tuck it up and under the rope on your waist, tying a tight half hitch on each side, behind your hips. Squat once or twice to help set the knots.

    • 8

      With the remaining rope ends, encircle your waist and finish with a tight square knot on the hip where you started the loop (the longer end of the rope goes farther around your waist). The side with the knot should be the side away from your break hand.

    • 9

      Finish with a safety knot (square knot) at each trailing end of rope to keep the ends from slipping back through the square knot.

    Attaching the Carabiner

    • 10

      Unlock a large carabiner and guide it through both ropes at your navel.

    • 11

      Pull the carabiner snugly against the rope with the lock facing your stomach.

    • 12

      Lock and check the carabiner before proceeding.